MX2011002112A - Tool for working on repaired underground pipes. - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for working on a repaired underground pipe that has a working end, a driving end, and a plurality of flexible shaft capable of transmitting a rotary force from the driving end to the cutting end.

Description

TOOL FOR WORKING IN PIPES REPAIRED UNDERGROUND Field of the invention The invention relates generally to devices used to work on repaired underground pipes.

Background of the Invention Underground pipes can be repaired as follows: a fabric coated with a resin (or a similar type of liquid hardening) is inserted into a pipe at an exposed end, an inflatable device, similar to a balloon, is inserted into the fabric that runs along the length of the pipe, and, the inflatable device is inflated, allowing the liquid in the fabric to attach.

Repaired underground piping may include untimely obstructions of the fabric and / or dry liquid that is used to repair the piping. Any obstruction that could act to cause debris and other material to collect and, in turn, could cause blockage in the pipeline. However, since the pipe is located underground (or otherwise inaccessible), it can be difficult to remove the blockage safely without damaging the pipe and, specifically, the repaired part of the pipe.

While the devices may already exist, it is believed that there remains a need in the art for a device that It can be inserted into the repaired underground pipe at an exposed point (such as an open end), but allows the user to work on the underground pipe at an unexposed point.

Brief Description of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can be inserted into the repaired underground pipe at an exposed point and allows the user to work on, for example to cut, the repaired underground pipe at an unexposed point. This would be beneficial because it would allow a user to repair the pipe instead of the more costly, time-consuming and destructive method of unearthing and removing the pipe.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device that can be inserted into an exposed point of the repaired underground pipe and be manipulated through the repaired underground pipeline, including around the curves. This is believed to be beneficial because most pipelines include curves and other corrugations.

It is also an object of the present invention to test a device that is composed of a plurality of flexible axes, which are connected to each other. This is believed to be beneficial because a user can select the appropriate number of flexible shafts for the distance that is needed to be traversed. This, in some cases, reduce minimum the amount of materials brought to the work and / or place of work.

These and other objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description.

On the other hand, it is contemplated that the device described in this document that have uses other than the specific uses described in this document.

In addition, the modalities described in this document can be described as different modalities, with different characteristics. However, nothing is understood that the described device only includes those certain modalities or those specific characteristics. Rather, it is contemplated that certain features may be present in certain modalities, although the modality is not described therewith.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that the accompanying drawings represent only the typical embodiments, and, therefore, the limitation of the scope of the present description is not considered, the modalities are described and explained with a specificity and detail with reference to the accompanying drawings provided to continuation.

Fig. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the tool in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the tool in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of a flexible shaft that is used in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention It is readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein could be conceived and arranged in a wide variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following more detailed description of various modalities, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present description, but is simply representative of several modalities. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawings to scale unless specifically indicated.

The present invention can be incorporated into other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described modalities should be considered in all aspects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All the changes that come in the meaning and scope of the Equivalence of the claims must be accepted within its scope.

The reference through this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention must be or in any other individual embodiment of the invention. Rather, the language refers to the features and advantages, it is understood that a specific characteristic, advantage, or features described in relation to a modality is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the discussion of the characteristics and advantages, and a similar language, through these specifications may, but not necessarily, refer to the same modality.

On the other hand, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the invention can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the features or specific advantages of a particular embodiment. In other cases, additional features and advantages can be recognized in certain embodiments that can not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

In the determined illustrations and more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the reference number 10 generally designated to a device or tool to work in a repaired underground pipeline. The device 10 includes a working end 12, a plurality of flexible axes 14, and a driving end 16.

End 12 of the work includes a rotary cutting tool 18. The rotary cutting tool 18 can be, for example, a pitch drill 20, or other suitable cutting device, such as a U-shaped razor blade, two tips, drill bits, or implement other rotary cutting tools. .

Each flexible shaft 14 includes a male connection 22 and a female connection 24 configured in a complementary manner. These connections 22, 24 allow the axes 14 to be connected to: each other to allow the proper number of axes 14 to be connected; the rotary cutting tool 18; and, a device for transmitting a rotary movement (not shown). For these reasons, it is preferred that the connections include a hexagonal configuration. Known and contemplated connection structures include, but are not limited to, a ball and brake, a magnet, and bolt hole 40, quick release, pressure springs and any other structures known in the art.

It is also contemplated that the flexible shaft 14 includes a first end portion 38 and a second end portion 40 with a flexible sleeve 36 disposed between the first end portion. 38 and the second end 40. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the flexible shaft includes a plurality of wires 30 disposed in the flexible sleeve 36 and be connected to the male connection 22 and the female connection 24 It is preferred that the plurality of wires 30 be capable of to transmit a rotating force, in both directions a right and a left.

The flexible shaft 14 allows the device 10 to flex and bend, while a rotational force is also transmitted to the end 12 of the work. The rotating force is applied, for example, a cordless electric drill. For example, the driving end 16 can be inserted into the mandrel of the cordless electric drill. When turned, the flexible shaft 14 transmits the rotary force (applied to the driving end 16) for the working end 12 - which in turn rotates the rotary cutting tool 18 and allows the user to work on the repaired underground pipe , for example, allowing the user to cut the obstructions of the repair process on the walls of the pipe.

It is contemplated that the flexible shaft 14 is the Flex-A-Bit®, available from Eazypower, in Chicago, Illinois, as described in. U.S. Patent No. 4,876,929, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.

It is also contemplated that a collar 50 is disposed over the connection point formed between a male connection 22 and a 24 female connection of flexible 14 axes adjacent. The collar 50 protects the pipe against damage and accidentally exposed to the male connection 22 and the female connection 24 below the collar 50. In addition, the collar 50 protects the male connection 22 and the female connection 24 from any object that otherwise could interfere with the transmission of rotary motion.

In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to a collar 50, the device 10 may include a hose cover 60 on the plurality of flexible shafts 14 and / or on a part of the rotary cutting tool 18. It is believed that this will make it easier to insert into a repaired underground pipe, and can minimize any damage to the walls of the repaired underground pipe. It is contemplated that the hose cover 60 is composed of polyethylene. It is contemplated that in the embodiment where the hose cover 60 is disposed over a part of the cutting tool 18, that the cover can be retracted (towards the end 16 of the pipe) exposed to the cutting tool 18 to the cutting part. the pipeline that will be worked.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the foregoing description to utilize the present access to its full extent. The examples and modalities described in this document should be interpreted as merely illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the description present in any form. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the details of the modalities described above, without departing from the fundamental principles provided in the description herein. In other words, different modifications and improvements of the modalities specifically described in the foregoing description are within the scope of the appended claims. Note that the items listed in function format mean more to be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C § 112 < U6. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. A device for working on a repaired underground pipeline, the device comprises: one end of work has a rotary cutting tool, a driving end, and, a plurality of flexible shafts, each of the shafts include a male connection and a female connection and be capable of transmitting a rotational force from the driving end to the working end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotary cutting tool is a drill bit of pitch.

3. The device of any of claims 1 and 2 further comprises a collar that is disposed over a female connection of a first flexible shaft and a male connection of a second flexible shaft, wherein the first flexible shaft and the second flexible shaft are adjacent .

4. The device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the male connection and the female connection of each flexible shaft has a hexagonal configuration.

5. The device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible shaft includes a plurality of wires disposed within a flexible cover, wherein the plurality of the wires are connected to the male connection and the female connection

6. The device of any of claims 1 to 5 further comprises a hose cover disposed on a portion of the plurality of flexible shafts.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the hose cover is further disposed on a part of the rotary cutting tool.

8. The device of any of claims 1 to 5 further comprises a hose cover disposed on a part of the rotary cutting tool.

9. The device of claims 7 or 8, wherein the hose cover is retractable.

10. The device of any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the hose cover is made of polyethylene.

11. A device as described in this document.

12. A device having one or more aspects of all the modalities and examples described herein.